Katherine Center has a way of creating characters that you can't help but love and want to see win. The Love Haters was no exception. Katie and Hutch Katherine Center has a way of creating characters that you can't help but love and want to see win. The Love Haters was no exception. Katie and Hutch are adorable and the people they had surrounding them (Rue and Beanie, for example) made the story that much more lovable.
While many aspects of this story were unrealistic, that didn't seem to matter too much to me here. Usually for me, once i find something too unrealistic, I find it hard to keep reading and connecting with what is going on, but here, it was hard not to get swept up in the hopeful nature of everything that was happening here. It was fun, whimsical, and romantic. This felt like a nice escape for a little while in a time where hope can be difficult to have so readily accessible. Maybe that is why I haven't been reaching out far from romance books lately?
I really did enjoy this read and loved the use of Hutch as a rescue swimmer to bring something new to this story. And George Bailey was obviously the best use of a sidekick I have seen in a while.
Many thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!...more
This book was a nice surprise for me. The anticipation that was built up between Josie and Zac was great and filled with so much tension. There are soThis book was a nice surprise for me. The anticipation that was built up between Josie and Zac was great and filled with so much tension. There are some books where I find the time jumps to take away from the storyline, but I thought that Natalie Murray did a great job weaving back and forth between the past and the present to give context to the present relationship and what went wrong in the past.
The concept of health anxiety that was described here was something that I don't think I have seen in any other book that I have read, and was something I immediately connected to, and never really thought was something people discussed. I found this to click so strongly with me and I really could elate to how Josie was feeling. I also enjoyed how Zac was unconditionally there for his friend for this part of her life, no matter how awkward things were between them. Romance aside, there is something to be said for a strong friendship, and theirs was so lovely to see.
For me, this was definitely a 4.5 star read, if I was allowed to do that. :)
Many many thanks to Allen & Unwin and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!...more
After When Grumpy Met Sunshine, I had some really high expectations for this next read from Charlotte Stein. I love the representation that this authoAfter When Grumpy Met Sunshine, I had some really high expectations for this next read from Charlotte Stein. I love the representation that this author gives to plus size characters and how they feel in their own bodies. The quirkiness of these characters was loveable and brought a new kind of romance that I haven't really seen before in romance novels. It was nerdy and anxious in way that was endearing and sweet, while still having a good amount of spice too.
My only "but" for this book what that sometimes the spicy scenes were a bit cringey. I know that these characters were overcoming a barrier of anxiety and awkwardness, but there were a couple times when reading but I couldn't help but cringe and almost feel awkward myself for reading it. I do appreciate the reality of her writing, but it did take me out of the story a couple times.
Overall, this is a funny, spicy, and quirky read that I still finished in one sitting and definitely enjoyed reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!...more
This was such a fun read. The pace was quick and hard to put down. I loved the comedy of errors type vibe that I got from this and how that pushed JacThis was such a fun read. The pace was quick and hard to put down. I loved the comedy of errors type vibe that I got from this and how that pushed Jack and Ada together. I found both characters to be likable and funny. The banter was incredible here and kept me drawn in and laughing. For me, there was very little not to like. Finished the whole book in one sitting and with such a big smile for these 2. I loved the travelling aspects and the race to the wedding kept the pace going too. Heather McBreen has such a wonderful writing style that I can't wait to read more of. ...more
Jenny L. Howe has quickly become one of my favorite writers, especially with how she approaches plus size characters and plus size romance. The last cJenny L. Howe has quickly become one of my favorite writers, especially with how she approaches plus size characters and plus size romance. The last couple of books I have read of hers have all been stories I truly connected with, which can be rare in a lot of the romance genre.
The characters here were fun and witty. I loved the premise and getting to see Haleigh go on all of these crazy dates and how the connections did or didn't develop from them. I truly loved the bisexual representation here as well and how it wasn't even really addressed, and instead just woven in seamlessly as no big deal. As it should be.
The only reason that this didn't quite reach a 5 star for me was that because there was so much time spent on Haleigh on her dates with everyone she was being set up with, I am not sure if I was fully invested in her and Jack's chemistry by the end. I almost feel as if we didn't get enough time with him to fully want to root for him.
This was such a great read and was really more of a 4.5 for me. Really do recommend giving it a read.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!...more
After a really long reading slump, I am surprised by how many really great reads I have been having this month, and this book also did not disappoint After a really long reading slump, I am surprised by how many really great reads I have been having this month, and this book also did not disappoint at all.
The enemies to lovers story here brought in some really electric chemistry while balancing that out with a heartbreaking story of grief. Getting to see the journey of these characters and how they came together to work through their grief was really lovely. Then when you add on the enemies to lovers aspect, it really was an incredible book to read. Dom and Maddie were adorable to watch as they bickered and then eventually found their way back to each other while simultaneously working through their grief in relation to Josh.
This was another book that I was sad to see end as I really did enjoy Dom and Maddie's relationship. There was so much build up, angst, and tension without crossing the line of dragging on for too long. I almost wish already that I could experience this book for the first time again. Really loved this so much. ...more
Really upset that this trilogy is coming to an end. While dark in it's nature, there was so much to love in these books and I loved how the stories frReally upset that this trilogy is coming to an end. While dark in it's nature, there was so much to love in these books and I loved how the stories from each of these 3 books all weaved together. Having the trilogy end with the 3 couples as a new formed family was really lovely and I wish there was more. This book specifically had incredible chemistry between Fionn and Rose. The writing was witty, funny, and sexy. There wasn't much to dislike here, unless you aren't about the gore that Brynne brings to these 3 books.
It was incredible to see a book that revolves around murder, vigilantes, and a circus performer also be super heart warming with really adorable small town vibes. Brynne Weaver's writing and storytelling is unique and exciting and impossible to put down. ...more
The chemistry. This story completely pulled me in. I loved the premise of this book and the chemistry solidified it for me. I loved the characters herThe chemistry. This story completely pulled me in. I loved the premise of this book and the chemistry solidified it for me. I loved the characters here and I was truly upset when the story ended and I could not keep reading about these two. It was almost like you became a part of the whole radio show and were just as invested as the listeners. I thoroughly enjoyed this so much. ...more
Cute and spicy holiday read that was really fun and enjoyable. The enemies to lovers aspect of this was a lot of fun and really built up their chemistCute and spicy holiday read that was really fun and enjoyable. The enemies to lovers aspect of this was a lot of fun and really built up their chemistry. ...more
I can't help it. I just love this series. Each time I am in a rut, these bring me right back out of it. They are very quick and easy reads and they arI can't help it. I just love this series. Each time I am in a rut, these bring me right back out of it. They are very quick and easy reads and they are just overall fun and flirty and I enjoy them so much. The web of characters that has been built here is adorable and I just find the whole series to be so wholesome. I'm not sure this series will be as relatable for everyone, but for me, I just have a soft spot for them. ...more
Lexi and Will's story was cute and this was overall a fun read, but as far as fake dating storylines go, this one was a bit hard to get behind. The faLexi and Will's story was cute and this was overall a fun read, but as far as fake dating storylines go, this one was a bit hard to get behind. The fake dating trope is one that I find really difficult for authors to accomplish, and they are inherently unbelievable. This one fell into that lane for me. I just don't think there was enough chemistry built up between them to make the whole situation truly believable for me which just get me the slightest bit removed at times. I did enjoy the story though and it was a cute read for me. I love Sophie Sullivan's style of writing so I do look forward to reading more from her.
Many Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. ...more
Meryl Wilsner really did a fantastic job here with this friends to lovers story. The chemistry that was created with these characters was really interMeryl Wilsner really did a fantastic job here with this friends to lovers story. The chemistry that was created with these characters was really interesting and even just as a friendship, I found them really endearing. How each character handled gender and gender identities was really great and made Elsie's character easier to root for as well at how well she stood up for Ginny.
The only thing I really found at fault here was some of the pacing. For some of the spicy sections of this book, I actually started to feel like it was going on for so long, that I was just ready to skip ahead and move on. I also found that during the major conflict of this book, that this also dragged on a little too long that I just wanted the resolution and ending to happen faster. This was a fun and interesting read, there were just a couple things that kept me from truly connecting to it.
Many Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!...more
Kelsie Hoss is now one of my must buy romance authors. Her characters are so lovely, and I really have enjoyed reading each of these romances. This waKelsie Hoss is now one of my must buy romance authors. Her characters are so lovely, and I really have enjoyed reading each of these romances. This was one of the shorter books in the series and I ended up wishing I could see more of Knox and Larkin because their dynamic with Emily and Jackson was so sweet. I love that this group of characters from each book in the series keeps expanding and that we get to revisit them in each installment as the families keep growing. This was another one-sitting read and I really just love this series so much. ...more
This one had me conflicted. With this being a second chance romance, having us start off with the back story of Rhett sleeping with someone else 2 houThis one had me conflicted. With this being a second chance romance, having us start off with the back story of Rhett sleeping with someone else 2 hours after Mags said no to their proposal was rough. It made Rhett really hard to want to root for. And while I have seen the defensive reviews saying “well she broke up with him”�. I mean come on. If someone can so quickly make moves like that, it makes it really difficult to see a second chance as believable.
However. (Yes, I know I am a hypocrite.) There was just something about the chemistry between these two that had me coming around to it in the end. While I wish cheating wasn’t a part of the story here, I did really end up liking these characters. Kelsie Hoss does an incredible job with banter and building up a relationship between characters. And what I love about second chance romances is that chemistry can be apparent immediately and still be completely believable, which is what you don’t get with “insta love� stories.
Really fun book to read and again was another one-sitting read for me. This is really more of like a 3.5-3.9 Star than a true 3 for me. ...more
Dashed was a really cute YA romance that was very light and heartwarming. I found this to be on the whole very surface level and lacking a bit of deptDashed was a really cute YA romance that was very light and heartwarming. I found this to be on the whole very surface level and lacking a bit of depth with all of these characters. I didn't find myself really fully being invested in anyone, but I still found the story to be fun and a quick read. For there not being too many stories incorporating theatre kids, I was hoping for some more there with Gabe, but I did feel like for most of the ending, he wasn't even present for and I almost started to forget about him.
Overall, this is a fun boo if you are looking for something light and fun and maybe with a travel theme.
Many Thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!...more
After reading the description and seeing the cover for this book, I definitely had a false idea of it stuck in my head. This whole book was just not aAfter reading the description and seeing the cover for this book, I definitely had a false idea of it stuck in my head. This whole book was just not at all what I was expecting and was very much unexpected. I do worry for some jumping into this that there are so many triggers so please look up all the trigger warnings before reading.
Overall, it was a really interesting read and had a lot of great build up, but the only issue I really had was the ending. It felt like all of these moments were building and building and then was just wrapped up in what felt like 5 minutes. I also felt left with some questions so I really didn’t find complete closure at the end. ...more
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